Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-18
TWO VERY Young ELOpERs.
Egnying Reached the Age or seven
teen They Nnrry and are
Forgiven.
New York World.

NtN 1OEh hptlI.i
Another elopement of young people.
almost rs curious as that of young
McKeever, of Orange, is at present the
talk of Relleville, n. J. In this in
stance the groom is just seventeen and
the bride of about the same age, but
the social circumstances of the two are
different. The former is Benja-
min Thomas, son of the super
intendent of the Erie railroad, and the
latter is Florence, tho second daughter
of Florist CoDover, who resides with his
family in a pretty cottage on Main
street, Pelleville. Ihecourtship of the
two, which lasted over year, was
rather romantic, and regard for pa
rental wishes and q provision for the
necessities Of life were lost in an atmos-
phere of love alone. Mr. Thomas's
father has ignored the marriage and
Mis-. Thomas's father is repenting it,
but the youthful couple are still in
bliss, and the cares Of life lie lightly
upon them. Unknown to their parents
they eloped on Sunday, were married
III New York on Monday, and returned
to Belleville on Thursday night, beg
ging forgiveness.
Mr.. Thomas, Jr., who wears glasses,
and has quite romantic look, was sent
by his father into the Erie ferry Office
in jersey City as clerk on leaving
school Last summer the young man
was sent to board in the Conover house
hold at Belleville. Mrs. Thomas was
then wearing short dresses, and being
a very pretty and rather emotional girl
she naturally fell much into the com
pany of the boarder, and each day he
devoted TO teaching her the language of
flowers. An intimacy was noticed,
which Mr.. and Mrs. Conover tried to
break. When fall came young Beuia-
min was taken home, and continued hi'
daily toll in the Erie ferry Office under
the supervision of his father. 4 clan
dcstine correspondence, with frequent
meetings, was kept up by the young
people, but the parents of neither were
aware of it. On Sunday evening Miss
Florence vert to church ostensibly,
but she Tas met near the car dept by
her lover, who escorted her to New
York. A search was made in Belle
vile, but 10 clue was obtained OF the
oirl. Monday, Tuesday. and Wednes-
day passed with like results.
On Thursday evening when the wind
was pretty strong out OF doors and the
ConOver family-father, mother, and
two daughters-weres seated around the
stove in their cosy parlor, a gentle tap
was heard at the front door, and Mr..
Conover answered. Two slenderfigureS
stood on the stOop, and girlish voice
said
Papa. may We come in?
Mr.. Conoycr was thunderstruck. He
called his wife, and young Thomas and
Florence were invited in. The latter
then told her parents that she had been
married to Benjamin in New York, aud
they wanted to be forgiven. Mr.. Con-
over and his wife, after ascertain
ing that the Young people were really
married, allowed them to remain.
When World reporter called at the
house yesterday Mr.. Conover said:
81 would rather say nothing about
the matter, and l feel SIRE that Mr..
I thomas would rather not speak about
the subject also. | have he'd no com
munication with him, nor do | seek
any. am only anxious for my daugh-
ter's comfort The marriage was mis-
take, and 1 tell you | am sorry it hap
pcned. The young man viii continue
TO work in jersey City, and for tha
present they will live here We did
not seek the alliance with Mr. Thomass
family and are Independent of them.
cannot say what church in New York
they were married at, nor do know
the clcrgyman's name. am satisfied
they were married, that is all. -
When the reporter was leaving Mr..
and Mrs. Thomas entered the house,
having been ont for a stroll. Mr..
Thomas had his arm around his wife,
and while in the hallway gazed loving
ly through his spectacles into her Ian
guild eyes. Mrs. Thomas was very
stylishly dressed. Neither OF them
seemed to realize the importance OF
froi, IN a, ,.ioOa